🔥 GingerWallet.io | LN Quest ⚡Up to 50 merits

[Macabury]

I discovered I can't open a channel on phoenix wallet.

Can you please say a few more words on this? Because I've simply transferred some sats on-chain and I've got channel opened for me. And since then I've done transfers between my Phoenix wallet and my test WalletoSatoshi.

I tried searching for features to create my own lightening node on phoenix wallet but discovered after going through all the features on the phoenix wallet app that it doesn't support manual channel management/creation but rather it automatically creates channels exclusively with ACINQ's node. After making a deposit on my LN wallet I couldn't find my transaction on  https://1ml.com

Afaik that's how much money you can receive on that LN channel if don't spend any (it's like a bottle or jar that may be full or empty or in between).

Does it mean if I need to receive a huge amount of money through LN I will need to have inbound liquidity that is enough to accommodate the funds?

[NeuroticFish]

it doesn't support manual channel management/creation but rather it automatically creates channels exclusively with ACINQ's node.

I understand. For me Phoenix was necessary because I can't have my own channel open for long enough.
However, I've seen in phoenix options to disable automatic channel management by them or to import encrypted channels. But I don't know what they are and how to use.
Maybe you'll ask in the other topic which is for general LN install and usage questions.

Does it mean if I need to receive a huge amount of money through LN I will need to have inbound liquidity that is enough to accommodate the funds?

Afaik yes, especially if you manage your LN node. I think that for me Phoenix will handle if the fee is under my setting.

[DaveF]

I have been using / playing with the nodes in a box for lightning for years.
Have also setup a few manually.

Best I can say is using one of the pre-configured ones is like buying a product.

Doing it manually is a project.

Both have their pros and cons, but eliminating the entire getting 50 merit thing, it's good for doing your own self custody and privacy.

However for step #4 get your own lightning address.

Keep in mind there is a small risk if you don't control the domain that it is linked to: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5420197

Either way keep stacking sats.

-Dave

[Zwei]

bump

so i finaly had the time to set down and install umbrel on my home server, it's going to take some time to fully sync the bitcoin node, but i'm getting there.



on a side note, this have been live for a month and some change, i'm surprised very few have joined/intrested.

[Cricktor]

on a side note, this have been live for a month and some change, i'm surprised very few have joined/intrested.

I can only tell for myself. I have Umbrel running an LND node for years now. It's only I'm not using the LND node currently and don't have channels open. I don't advertise my LND node e.g. on 1ml or anywhere else. I'm not very eager to disclose my node ID as I value the "privacy" of my crypto stuff.

Edit: because I could easily respawn a new LND node with a new ID, it's not a big deal actually to disclose my Umbrel LND node ID:

Code:

02a18c175cdb9585c6f6451411c78ddb538784ce642cfa69a9760de0eb2fa63893@v7kymkkarxaoz7goqkeh6y34sizxrr33lxysy74hfw45dfw7h7yiqiid.onion:9735

For the very occasional use of LN that I have, I mostly use my custodial Wallet of Satoshi wallet and I have a synced Phoenix wallet, too, which is currently a bit dormant. Again, I had to rethink if I really want to disclose details about those or the Phoenix wallet in particular.

I'm not out here for hunting merits, so that is not much of a motivation for me personally.

[jstyler]

I'm curious, have you considered partnering with some of the more prominent LN-focused communities like the Lightning Network subreddit or the LND Discord? It might help raise awareness about the initiative and attract more participants.

[NotATether]

I'm curious, have you considered partnering with some of the more prominent LN-focused communities like the Lightning Network subreddit or the LND Discord? It might help raise awareness about the initiative and attract more participants.

If I were to do that, I'd have to make a copy of this thread off-site. Like place it on a website or something. Because there is little chance those communities come to Bitcointalk forum and register an account, so it would have to be coordinated somewhere else.

I haven't asked around yet though - so far, my advertising has been limited to "DM me if you want to run a node" posts on Nostr.

[pawanjain]

Thanks for bringing up this initiative. I have a very limited knowledge about the lightning network.
This experiment of yours could really help me elevate my knowledge on the lightning network.
I am about to give this a try. I haven't used my Bitcoin Full Node on Raspberry Pi 400 for quite some time now and so this will help me sync my bitcoin core up to date.
I'll post here as soon as the whole blockchain is downloaded and to show that I am not bluffing here's a screenshot of the progress.

Do keep us updated.

The bitcoin core is still running and is currently at 82% approximately and so we'll have to wait another few days for it to sync fully.
Meanwhile I have gone through some of the documentation and decided to go with Core Lightning using the GUI version from Umbrel App store.
Let me know your thoughts on this or whether I should go for anything else.

Update: Due to frequent powercuts in my area I lost some progress made and had to reindex the blockchain.
I don't have a power backup that keeps my node running continuously but I will do that later when I have that capability.
I am currently at 91% and still syncing. Will update here once the sync is completed. Thanks.

[NotATether]

Update: Due to frequent powercuts in my area I lost some progress made and had to reindex the blockchain.
I don't have a power backup that keeps my node running continuously but I will do that later when I have that capability.
I am currently at 91% and still syncing. Will update here once the sync is completed. Thanks.

Interesting. Have you considering using a RAID configuration for your hard disk? That should at least prevent disk corruption since only one of the disks will have a corrupted write. But maybe it won't.

Bitcoin score doesn't have a good way of making data backups while the software is online.

[Zwei]

I'm curious, have you considered partnering with some of the more prominent LN-focused communities like the Lightning Network subreddit or the LND Discord? It might help raise awareness about the initiative and attract more participants.

nice AI post, but don't you think that would be unnecessary?

i mean, people in those communities are already aware of LND and some of them probably already run a node on their own. and i imagine if they were interested in the forum, they probably already have an account here.

[Obim34]

Update: Due to frequent powercuts in my area I lost some progress made and had to reindex the blockchain.
I don't have a power backup that keeps my node running continuously but I will do that later when I have that capability.
I am currently at 91% and still syncing. Will update here once the sync is completed. Thanks.

Interesting. Have you considering using a RAID configuration for your hard disk? That should at least prevent disk corruption since only one of the disks will have a corrupted write. But maybe it won't.

Bitcoin score doesn't have a good way of making data backups while the software is online.

I would love to join the marathon but my technical know-how is belittled. I watched the video but maybe some write up tutorial will do better.

I started Bitcoin node challenge but i felt it was taken much of my resource, internet, light bills and still slow to sync (probably worst internet speed from my location), but i read that LN is more easy to do with makes me want to partake plus winding off from the noob zone when dealing with Nodes and Bitcoin Networks.

You mentioned allocating a Bitcoin Node to help sign LN Node, i will want one.

But is it possible to run the Node using mobile?

How do i get Umbrel running, i tried signing in from online but they keep saying can't be reached, i'm messed up at this point.

[apogio]

Ok, I am mostly doing this to set a good example for the rest of the forum.
I strongly believe self-custody is the most important thing about Bitcoin and I am happy to see challenges/initiatives like this one.
Good job!

Some Info:

I wanted to do this challenge as naturally as possible.
So, I downloaded Phoenix Wallet again, because it meets the criteria of this challenge and it's a great tool for frequent transactions.
I have prepared the ground for it, knowing that 'd create the node and I 'd pay for my morning coffee in the only place in my area where they accept Bitcoin.
Cool, isn't it?

Node ID:

Code:

0399299f436a0d1b4bfc9364ebaa20fba8d1992acb21d2b386363d9f4763866018

LN Channel:



LN Payment:




Some more info:

I 've removed some info about my transaction for privacy reasons but if it's not ok, I will post the real screenshot.

Since I am not keen to spend sats (especially sats) on things I don't necessarily want to buy, if anyone is interested in sending back and forth some pennies via LN - with or without invoice - so we can get the feeling on how it works, please give me a sign.

Sure, once I am ready and set up, I 'll let you know in case you 're still available. I do need some time though (probably days).

@NeuroticFish I am ready, let me know if you wanna do it.

[NeuroticFish]

@NeuroticFish I am ready, let me know if you wanna do it.

Sorry for the late answer.

Here's an invoice for 20 sats, as QR code and also as text.
From my settings the invoice should be valid for 2 weeks, but if it doesn't work let me know.

I know that at some point my WoS has shown failure when I tried to send to Phoenix, but I could not reproduce that. Does my Phoenix have to be open exactly when you send payment or anytime in the next 24h is fine?

Also please post a LN address for repayment. Thanks!

Code:

lightning:lnbc200n1pnasectpp5vunzxk382naydcxjpfzc0vw9mg9ngw8fd9cr04me489wp6l4fwhqcqzyssp5au5tp6dynd05gfmhu0al6qsqskf3a73wl85phf42c7qv2054azus9q7sqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqsqqqqqysgqdqqmqz9gxq9pyagqrzjqwryaup9lh50kkranzgcdnn2fgvx390wgj5jd07rwr3vxeje0glcll7mkmqr8fqwuyqqqqlgqqqqqeqqjqt90qkxmf8khevrk2klf47knlh9g5p8fudhuv8w8s9edm3chjcvmzej77rv029rhrzzvug8safjup9xalwr3ewhel0lnyae4r48582hqptcn2nf

[apogio]

I know that at some point my WoS has shown failure when I tried to send to Phoenix, but I could not reproduce that. Does my Phoenix have to be open exactly when you send payment or anytime in the next 24h is fine?

Anytime is fine. It will work properly as it will simply sync afterwards. At least that's what I recall, but to try it I will turn off my app now and see if I will receive the payment you will send in the image down below.

Also please post a LN address for repayment. Thanks!

Here you are mate.

[NeuroticFish]

Here you are mate.

Repaid. Thanks for the test!
And thanks for the explanation too! I was expecting this to be the way it works, it just makes sense.
I don't know why I've got that one timer error with the other wallet, but doesn't matter anymore.

[apogio]

Repaid. Thanks for the test!
And thanks for the explanation too! I was expecting this to be the way it works, it just makes sense.

Fyi, I uninstalled the app completely, removed my wallets from the phone's DB and then recovered the wallet with my phrase. It worked flawlessly.

And I confirm the repayment.

I hope it was clear how LN can facilitate our lives. And keep in mind that I am among those who see multiple issues with LN (not to be discussed in this thread), but I consider it a great invention.

[Zwei]

alright, my umbrel bitcoin node is finally fully synced, thunderhub is set up and i can finally can start using LN.



node id:

Code:

03f2c4ab64f1fb8cdfab8fbb637a443d138d2b28c3cf9964671f8091c55e997c82

i have not opened any channels yet as i'm still not sure if everything is working fine (i had a bit of issue with the bitcoin node)
i also feel it's better if i take time to familiarize myself with all the settings and how things work first, instead of ending up lossing my coins by fucking up.


@NotATether with a few popular nodes you can open a channel for as small as 20k sats like WalletOfSatoshi.com, CoinGate & Boltz.
i think since this is mainly to get people to learn and run their own LN node, 100k can be alot for some. should opening a 30K or 40K sats channel be okay instead of 100K sats for the challenge?

[apogio]

@NotATether with a few popular nodes you can open a channel for as small as 20k sats like WalletOfSatoshi.com, CoinGate & Boltz.
i think since this is mainly to get people to learn and run their own LN node, 100k can be alot for some. should opening a 30K or 40K sats channel be okay instead of 100K sats for the challenge?

Obviously NotATether will answer, but I wanted to give my personal touch on this.
If you wanna learn only, then there isn't a reason to open large capacity channels. But if you plan to use these channels, you should be better if you opened larger channels now, because the fees are low and opening channels requires an on-chain fee.
Arbirtraliry, I would argue that 750,000 - 1,000,000 satoshis is a great channel capacity for everyday use. It's my sweet spot, but it's obviously subjective.

[NeuroticFish]

a few popular nodes you can open a channel for as small as 20k sats like

From my understanding this "quest" is more focused in opening your own channel based on your own Bitcoin node.

While I also chose a "wrong" path, since my Phoenix wallet also opens the channels for me, I know that I could have "done better", just sadly a setup with my own proper node is not feasible now for me. And I know that my setup does not qualify for (most of) the promised merits.

Imho the list you wrote can be useful to some, but I think that people should also try - where possible - to go on the route OP initially thought/described/expects.

[NotATether]

@NotATether with a few popular nodes you can open a channel for as small as 20k sats like WalletOfSatoshi.com, CoinGate & Boltz.
i think since this is mainly to get people to learn and run their own LN node, 100k can be alot for some. should opening a 30K or 40K sats channel be okay instead of 100K sats for the challenge?

Obviously NotATether will answer, but I wanted to give my personal touch on this.
If you wanna learn only, then there isn't a reason to open large capacity channels. But if you plan to use these channels, you should be better if you opened larger channels now, because the fees are low and opening channels requires an on-chain fee.
Arbirtraliry, I would argue that 750,000 - 1,000,000 satoshis is a great channel capacity for everyday use. It's my sweet spot, but it's obviously subjective.

Any amount of sats is perfectly acceptable as long as you have a couple of well-connected peers.

These kinds of peers are operated by large companies, exchanges and what not and have a quite large minimum channel size.

So I recommend opening a channel first with one of the big players you have mentioned, so that routing your payments is possible, and then connect to whoever you like.